MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION PREVENTING POTENTIAL BACKFLOW OF CONTAMINANTS FROM BUILDINGS INTO THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The fifth bill before me today is
Introductory Number 935-A, sponsored by Council Members Gennaro, Comrie, Fidler,
James, Koppell, Nelson, Weprin, Gerson, White, Jackson, Recchia, Vallone, Liu,
Sears and Crowley. Introductory Number 935-A assists in preventing the
potential backflow of contaminants from buildings into the public water
system.

"The City’s drinking water is the best in
the world. This results from the vision of City engineers in the past and
the great work of the Department of Environmental Protection today. One
threat to the water supply with which the Department must contend is the
"backflow” of contaminated water out of buildings into the public water supply
system. Without the installation of a backflow prevention device,
buildings such as hospitals, labs, and factories can create risks to the water
supply system. The Department is in the middle of a rigorous inspection
program to identify sites at which backflow prevention devices are required, but
not currently installed.

"Introductory Number 935-A further builds on
the Department’s work to mitigate the risk of hazardous backflow by codifying
into law requirements on the installation of prevention devices.
Introduction Number 935-A also requires the Department to notify the owner of
any building found to potentially require a backflow device and to report to the
Council semi-annually on the Department’s work regarding hazardous
backflow.

"I would like to thank Acting Commissioner
Steven Lawitts and his staff at the Department of Environmental Protection for
their work to protect our water. I would also like to thank the Council
for approving this legislation."